VEDASHREE PATIL

FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
(BATCH A)
BD/22/1595

A VISIT TO BETHANY SOCIETY.

-BY VEDASHREE PATIL.
National Institute of fashion technology, Shillong organised an Industrial visit for the subject
material studies- paper, to Bethany society, Shillong on 21st September 2022. The visit was
accompanied by the subject teacher, Mr. Manish Dhakad, FMS department
This visit was mainly focussed to understand
the procedures involved during production of
paper.
Bethany Society is a charitable, secular and
non-profit organization Profit was founded in
1981 in Shillong, Meghalaya. They are based in
North East and mainly operate in Meghalaya.
Bethany society strives to create new
opportunities for everyone, especially people
with disabilities living in extreme poverty, children, young people and women, especially
those living in remote areas. In this way, they help them lead a healthy yet sustainable life.
A bus was arranged from NIFT Shillong campus for the students of Batch A. Upon arrival to
Bethany society, we were introduced to Mr. Carmo Noronha, director of Bethany Society,
who escorted us. We walk through all the different units, each responsible for different
things.
We start by visiting organic farms, where crops are irrigated. The farm had a disability
friendly ramp. They had a self -watering mechanism for plants and a foul free hen livestock.
They also had a poultry farm whose waste is used as plant fertilizer.
Production of paper is managed by a team of persons with
disabilities. Shibashish dey -instructor at handmade paper
unit, explained the entire process, with the help of Mr.
Carmo Noronha. We learned how the paper acquires
different textures and weights. Different types of fabrics and
paper were shred through a shredder. The shredded pieces
of fabric were soaked in water overnight. Pulp was refined
furthermore. The pulp was transferred on trays of fine mesh
which were submerged in a large tank of water. The paper
went through Pressurization to enhance the material density
and reduce moisture. The paper was then left to dry.
 The members of Bethany society make greeting cards
from the handmade paper, and other sellable products.
One important thing to remember is that this whole
process has no residual waste. The water used to make
the paper is recycled for reuse, and the remaining
paper is shredded again to
make new paper.

Then followed by the leather division, manufacturing bags,

shoes and other accessories. Finally, we got to the data center.
NVDA VoiceOver software is used to teach the visually impaired
how to use computers to introduce them to corporate world.
It was a whole new experience for all of us, learning how people
with disabilities can use technology through different softwares.
I would like to thank Professor Mr.Manish Dhakad for giving us a good opportunity and new
learning experience.